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Raynaud's may affect as much as 5 to 10 percent of the population. A majority of those affected are women. Only 1 in 5 of those with Raynaud's are aware of their condition and seek medical treatment.
What is Raynaud's?
Raynaud's Phenomenon (also referred to as Raynaud's Disease or Syndrome) is a disorder of the small blood vessels that generally causes fingers, toes, and possibly other extremities to be discolored. The blood vessels near the fingertips show an exaggerated sensitivity to the cold resulting in severe narrowing of the vessels for an abnormally extended period of time. This condition usually affects the fingertips, but may also involve toes, ears, or tip of the nose. Possible causes may be occupational damage (drilling, packing frozen food), underlying disease, smoking, certain medications, or genetics (family history).
What are the symptoms?
When exposed to cold, the fingers may turn white then blue due to lack of blood and oxygen. Once the hands are re-warmed, the fingers sometimes become red and mildly painful along with numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation. The classic white to blue to red discolorations may not be present. Some only have the white or bluish discoloration. Two types of Raynaud's disease exist:
Primary Raynaud's
Most common
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No apparent cause
Not as "disabling" as secondary Raynaud's, but may still be painful
Episodes may be triggered by cold and/or emotional stress
Secondary Raynaud's
Caused by another disease, usually a connective tissue disorder such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus
May experience more serious complications such as skin ulcers, gangrene, and ultimately loss of finger(s) or toe(s)
If ulcers occur, seek medical attention quickly to prevent long term damage
What can I do if I think I have it?
First, see your primary care physician for evaluation. A referral to a rheumatologist may be necessary if your case appears to be due to an underlying connective tissue disease. There are some lifestyle changes you can make to minimize or prevent symptoms:
Dress properly (wear mittens or gloves) and avoid cold when possible including air conditioning
Minimize or avoid emotional stressors
Smoking cessation
Regular exercise to improve circulation
Relaxation techniques such as Tai Chi or biofeedback may be helpful with practice
Consult your pharmacist or physician before taking any dietary
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or herbal supplements, and over-the-counter medications such as pseudoephedrine
Consider alternatives to oral birth control due to their effect on circulation
If lifestyle changes are not enough and/or the disease is severe then drug treatment may be considered. The most common drug treatment is the use of a calcium channel blocker such as nifedipine. Nifedipine is used for high blood pressure, so some patients may not be good candidates for this drug.
In extreme cases, as a last resort, a physician may perform surgery to cut the nerves to the arteries of the fingers to prevent ulcers or amputation. Results of surgery may not be effective or last long.
For more information talk with your pharmacist or physician, or visit:
www.Raynauds.org
www.Mayoclinic.com
www.niams.nih.gov
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